Occupation Details
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.
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Interests
Artistic
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Social
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$62,690.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$100,350.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$115,920.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
42,440
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
48,970
+653 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
3,887
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.2%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Degree Needed - Four-year college
Experience Requirements
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Education Requirements
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
New York State requires workers in this occupation to hold a license or certification.
Public School Teacher
Learn MoreSkills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Instructing
Teaching others how to do something.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Bunsen burners
- Computer laser printers
- Desktop computers
- Digital video cameras
- Dissection scalpels
- Document cameras
- Glass beakers
- Interactive whiteboards
- Laboratory heating plates
- Laptop computers
- Liquid crystal display LCD projectors
- Multimedia projection equipment
- Optical compound microscopes
- Pencil compasses
- Personal computers
- Photocopying equipment
- Safety gloves
- Safety goggles
- Science activity kits
- Television monitors
- Video camcorders
Technology
- Apple Final Cut Pro
- Apple macOS
- Appletree
- Blackboard software
- Children's educational software
- ClassTag
- Common Curriculum
- Desmos
- Edmodo
- Email software
- Flipgrid
- Google Classroom
- Google Docs
- Google Drive
- Google Meet
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- maintain educational records, reports, or files
- prepare educational reports
- conduct field trips
- advise students
- evaluate student performance
- maintain group discipline in an educational setting
- monitor student progress
- direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
- communicate student progress
- conduct parent conferences
- make education presentations
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve educational data
- resolve behavioral or academic problems
- schedule student field trips
- record student progress
- use interpersonal communication techniques
- use motivational techniques in education
- use oral or written communication techniques
- use teaching techniques
- use public speaking techniques
- use inventory control procedures
- use knowledge of multi-media technology
- design classroom presentations
- ensure correct grammar, punctuation, or spelling
- recognize student learning levels
- recognize student problems
- use classroom management techniques
- assess educational potential or need of students
- convert information into instructional program
- coordinate educational content
- develop instructional materials
- develop teaching aids
- organize educational material or ideas
- select teaching materials to meet student needs
- develop course or training objectives
- establish and maintain relationships with students
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
- Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate these objectives to students.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
- Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools.
- Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
- Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- Confer with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.
- Maintain accurate, complete, and correct student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
- Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
- Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.
- Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
- Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems, or special academic interests.
- Enforce all administration policies and rules governing students.
- Assign lessons and correct homework.
- Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress.
- Collaborate with other teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of middle school programs.
- Assist students who need extra help, such as by tutoring and preparing and implementing remedial programs.
- Meet or correspond with parents or guardians to discuss children's progress and to determine priorities and resource needs.
- Provide disabled students with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
- Prepare for assigned classes and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisors.
- Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.
- Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.
- Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injury and damage.
- Administer standardized ability and achievement tests, and interpret results to determine student strengths and needs.
- Perform administrative duties, such as school library assistance, hall and cafeteria monitoring, and bus loading and unloading.
- Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.
- Attend staff meetings and serve on staff committees, as required.
- Organize and label materials and display students' work.
- Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guest speakers, or other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from such activities.
- Coordinate and supervise extracurricular activities, such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.
- Supervise, evaluate, and plan assignments for teacher assistants and volunteers.
- Organize and supervise games and other recreational activities to promote physical, mental, and social development.
- Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Math for America (MfA)
This private nonprofit organization is dedicated to significantly improving mathematics education in our nation's public schools. MfA's Newton Fellowship Program,currently operating in the NYC schools, trains mathematically talented individuals to become math teachers.
Learn MoreStalking Science Education in The Adirondacks
Participating educators learn firsthand a process for taking their students from primary field observations to student designed, field based inquiry suitable for the school yard or nearby natural areas. The process encompasses guided nature observation, exploration and journaling.
Learn MoreStalking Science Education in The Adirondacks
Participating educators will learn firsthand a process for taking their students from primary field observations to student-designed, field-based inquiry suitable for the schoolyard or nearby natural areas. The process will encompass guided nature observation, exploration and journaling.
Learn MoreStudent Learning Assistance Center Math Tutorials
Looking to help your students get the most out of their math education? These math tutorials contain lessons for basic mathematics, algebra and geometry, precalculus and calculus. Interactive review exercises, powerpoint slides and easily printed text are included.
Learn MoreSummer Classes, Institutes for Teachers in Mathematics, Science 2007
The purpose of this funding is to improve the professional content knowledge of teachers in mathematics and science and refresh and renew their competency in the use of state of the art technology, and to provide them with ideas as to how that content and technology can be used in relevant, rigorous and meaningful instruction. Applications due by October 17, 2006 for 2007 training.
Learn MoreTeacher Academy At The City University Of New York
Teacher Academy students develop the critical content knowledge in math and science they need and the skills to teach effectively in New York City public schools upon graduation and produce high levels of student achievement and to inspire middle and high school students' interest in mathematics and science.
Learn MoreTeachers-preschool, kindergarten, elementary, middle, and secondary
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn More